Sunday June 27, 2021 | LANGFORD, BC
by Mary P Brooke, B.Sc., Editor | Island Social Trends
Here in Langford today the heat is ferocious. Dry, scorching sun, little to no breeze. This has really jacked up the temperatures, especially indoors.
Around 3:45 pm today Sunday June 27, Island Health announced that due to the extreme heat wave that is currently affecting British Columbia, that they are rebooking all COVID-19 immunization appointments that were scheduled for tomorrow (Monday June 28) at Eagle Ridge Arena in Langford. They are also rebooking the Gabriola Community Hall appointments for people on Gabriola Island.
Previously, only afternoon appointments at Eagle Ridge Arena and Archie Browning Sports Centre in Esquimalt were being rebooked for June 27 and June 28, says Island Health.
Lack of air conditioning:
Despite mitigation measures, the high temperatures and lack of air conditioning could impact the safety of patients, staff, and our vaccine supply if these sites remain open. Island Health made the decision to rebook all appointments at the Eagle Ridge Arena and Gabriola Community Centre on June 28, and all appointments after 12:00 p.m. on June 28 at Archie Browning Sports Centre.
Everyone affected will be directly contacted and rebooked. Additional capacity has been added to other clinics to ensure immunization continues.
Patience during extreme weather:
“We acknowledge this may be frustrating for some people and we ask for patience and understanding as we move through the effects of this extreme weather event,” said Island Health in their release.
Island Health continues to monitor the situation and conditions at other mass immunization clinics. There are no changes planned at any other immunization clinic at this time.
Information and tips on how to stay safe in the heat can be found at https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/environment/heat-safety.
Island Health pre-advised about heat:
Right before this weekend with a forecasted ‘heat dome’, one of Island Health’s medical health officers held a press conference about the dangers of this heat wave. During that press conference Dr Mike Benusic said that Island Health will be working with municipalities to help support improvements in air cooling systems.
